Desi tourists look for cool-clime alternatives in Darj, Himachal
Times of India | 24 April 2025
Kolkata: Kashmir's loss can be a significant gain for Darjeeling in Bengal, and other spots in Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand, as tourists are rushing to cancel their summer trips for Kashmir planned next month. Travel agents said while they are offering options for Arunachal Pradesh as well, there are few takers as it is also close to the border.
Sutirtha Basu from Jadavpur had planned a trip to Kashmir with family and friends in May. He has now dropped the idea and is looking at booking in either Darjeeling and Sikkim or Bhutan. "We had planned this Kashmir trip for years. We were yet to buy the flight tickets as the school vacation days haven't been announced. But after what happened in Kashmir on Tuesday, none of us want to go there. Instead, we are planning to go to Darjeeling and Sikkim, or Bhutan," said Basu, a fashion photographer.
Travel groups on social media were abuzz with tourists either declaring their cancellation plans or enquiring if it is safe to visit Kashmir in the next few months. "We are cancelling our Kashmir trip for May 20. We can go there later if we stay alive. I suggest everyone avoid Kashmir till the situation improves," wrote Mou Chakraborty from Burdwan. Rajesh Bhutra, another tourist, wrote: "Yesterday night we cancelled our family trip for Kashmir. We don't want to take a risk."
Anil Punjabi, national committee member of Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), said since Tuesday night, a number of tourists have been calling to cancel planned vacations. "We are offering them a number of options in hill stations like Darjeeling, Gangtok, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and even foreign destinations, like Bhutan. But we are pleading to every state to ensure all tourist destinations are covered with the utmost tight security," said Punjabi.
Bilolaksha Das of Citi Travels, a member of Travel Agents' Federation of India, said the spate of cancellations had left everyone reeling. "Coming right at the beginning of the summer holiday season, this is debilitating. Not just Kashmir, even tourists to Ladakh are cancelling trips. While refund of flight fares will be possible till April 30, with airlines announcing no cancellation or rescheduling charges till that date, those travelling beyond that date may have to incur cancellation charges. In addition, we don't know about refunds of hotel and car rentals," he said.
Though some travel agents are trying to convince tourists booked beyond May 7 to wait and see how the situation develops, most said travellers were unlikely to go to Kashm-ir this summer. Travel Age-nts' Association of India eastern region chairman Anjani Dhanuka fears there will be a 50% dip in tourists to Kashmir during Durga Puja holidays.